Along Santolan Road in San Juan City stands an Art Deco building where White Cross Orphanage, a child-caring institution accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development is housed.
The orphanage was the beneficiary of the early Christmas-giving activity of the Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry (ACPACI) spearheaded by its Director for Social Involvement Florencia Gorospe.
According to Gorospe, the choice of White Cross Orphanage as the beneficiary of ACPACI’s CSR project this yuletide season demonstrates the organization’s concern for the children. “Christmas is for everyone. But it always brings to mind children,” she said. “We are grateful there are organizations taking care of these homeless children like White Cross.”
The gifts for the young residents of White Cross consisted of toiletries, vitamins and medicines, biscuits and candies, milk and food, and school supplies. These were turned over to White Cross Executive Director Mely Reluya.
Partners for the gift-giving activity were SM Foundation, PAMA and the Rotary Club of San Juan North. With Gorospe were ACPACI President Walter Abella, ACPACI Chairperson for Social Involvement Noel Ang, Philippine Association of Management Accountants (PAMA) President Lolita Tang, and representatives from the Rotary Club of San Juan North.
White Cross Orphanage provides temporary shelter for children aged 0-6 years who are children of unwed mothers, indigent families, tuberculosis patients, mentally or physically-incapacitated parents, prisoners, or victims of incest or rape. At present, there are 62 children staying in the institution waiting for adoption. They are provided with medical assistance, educational care, and financial support to help them in their early years.